Sports Tools

Zero for LifeOf the more than 16,000 major league baseball players in history, fewer than half have ever hit a home run---6,616 as of the end of the 2004 season.

The Quantum LeapIn 1919, Babe Ruth broke the single season home run record, with 29. In 1920, he became the first major leaguer to hit 30 homers in a season. 40 homers in a season and then 50 homers in a season---all in the SAME YEAR.

A League of His OwnIn 1920, Babe Ruth out-homered EVERY American League TEAM when he hit 50. That year, the Babe also out-homered seven of the National League TEAMS. Only the Philadelphia Phillies hit more homers than Ruth, with 64 long balls.

Number 44When Henry Aaron hit his 715th Home Run, breaking Babe Ruth's record, the pitcher who served it up was Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They were both wearing number 44.

Longest Homer. The longest measured home run in a major league game is 634 ft by Mickey Mantle for the New York Yankees against the Detroit Tigers at Briggs Stadium, Detroit on September 10, 1960.

Called Shot. In 1932 legend says Babe Ruth points to centerfield then hits a home run to that spot in Game 3 of the World Series.

Most Home Runs In A SeasonThe most number of Home Runs scored in a season is 73, by Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants in 2001. His father Bobby was an All-Star and his Godfather is Willie Mays, one of the great all-rounders.

Most Inside-the-Park HomersWhile Barry Bonds is the current Home Run King of all time, he only hit 3 inside-the-park home runs to date. The King of Inside-the-Park Home Runs is Jesse Burkett who holds the record of 55 he ran out during the years 1890 to 1905.

Grand SlamsThe most grand slam home runs hit in a career is 23, by the Yankee's Lou Gehrig. In second place is Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox, who currently has 20 grand slams. Don Mattingly of the Yankees and Travis Hafner of the Indians, share the record with the most grand slams in a season of 6. In 1966, Tony Cloninger of the Braves became the first and only PITCHER (so far) to HIT TWO grand slams in one game! On April 23, 1999, Fernando Tatis of the Cardinals become the only player to hit two grand slams in the SAME INNING!....AND off the same pitcher....Chan Ho Park!!